Our Library
Explore our publications, from research papers and series to educational materials, covering all aspects of conflict transformation and peace promotion.
Peacemaking and Constitutional Change: Negotiating Power-sharing Arrangements and Identity IssuesThe Republic of (North) Macedonia and The Ohrid Framework Agreement
Stankovski looks at the case of the Republic of Macedonia and the Ohrid Framework Agreement (OFA) of 2001, which averted a full-blown civil war, the subsequent constitution making process, and the implementation of the constitution.
- Year2019
- Author(s)Boshko Stankovski
Acuerdos de Paz y Constitución en una Democracia FrágilEl Caso de Guatemala
Aunque instituciones y expertos/as han resaltado la importancia de analizar la influencia de la construcción de constituciones en los procesos de paz poco se ha publicado sobre este tema en Guatemala. El caso de Guatemala amerita un especial análisis, dado el tiempo que transcurrió entre el retorno a la democracia y elaboración de la Constitución vigente, y la negociación, firma e implementación de los procesos de paz: La Constitución actual entró en vigor en 1985 y el Acuerdo de Paz se firmó 11 años después, en diciembre de 1996.
- Year2019
- Author(s)Andrés Álvarez Castañeda, Carlos Alberto Sarti Castañeda
Peace Accords and the Constitution in a Fragile DemocracyThe case of Guatemala
Sarti and Álvarez jointly examine the Guatemalan Peace Accords of 1996, which put an end to the 36-year long civil war that was characterized by a high civilian death rate and widespread commitment of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- Year2019
- Author(s)Andrés Álvarez Castañeda, Carlos Alberto Sarti Castañeda
Les Interactions Entre le Processus de Paix et l'Elaboration Constitutionnelle au BurundiFacteur de Stabilité ou de Crise ?
Cette étude sur les interactions entre le processus de paix burundais et le(s) processus d’élaboration de(s) la constitution(s) qui a (ont) suivi s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un projet plus vaste portant sur diverses études de cas similaires où des conflits à dimension politicoidentitaire ont conduit à des négociations de paix menées sous médiation internationale, qui ont abouti par la suite à des processus de réforme et/ou de changement constitutionnel.
- Year2019
- Author(s)Willy Peter Nindorera
Salafi jihadi armed groups and conflict (de-)escalationThe case of Ansar Dine in Mali
As violent conflict erupted in Mali in 2012, the Salafi jihadi Armed Group (SJAG) Ansar Dine quickly emerged as one of its main protagonists, and its leader Iyad Ag Ghaly retained a prominent role within the umbrella entity Jamāʿat nuṣrat al-islām wal-muslimīn (Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, JNIM) formed in March 2017.
- Year2019
- Author(s)Tim Jan Roetman, Marie Migeon, Véronique Dudouet
Salafi jihadi armed groups and conflict (de-)escalationThe case of al-Shabaab in Somalia
Since 2006 Somalia is caught in a spiral of violence and suffering from continuing attacks by the Salafi jihadi Armed Group (SJAG) al-Shabaab. This case study report asks under which circumstances al-Shabaab has reduced its violent behaviour in the past and explores the experiences and options for third party dialogue engagement.
- Year2019
- Author(s)Karin Göldner-Ebenthal
Salafi jihadi armed groups and conflict (de-)escalationThe case of Ahrar al-Sham in Syria
In the Syrian civil war, the Salafi jihadi armed group Ahrar al-Sham was one of the largest and most powerful non-state armed groups. This report outlines the development of Ahrar al-Sham and explores the conditions that led to its de-escalation and analyses as a second step the role and challenges of dialogue engagement.
- Year2019
- Author(s)Karin Göldner-Ebenthal, Ahmed Elsayed
Dialogue with Salafi jihadi armed groupsChallenges and opportunities for conflict de-escalation
In some of the most intense ongoing armed conflicts (Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and Nigeria, to name a few), violent state challengers are characterised by their radical religious beliefs rooted in Salafi-based Islamism.
To better understand possible pathways to violence de-escalation or conflict transformation in such contexts, one needs to analyse the behavioural, ideological and organisational patterns of Salafi jihadi armed groups (SJAGs).
- Year2019
- Author(s)Karin Göldner-Ebenthal, Véronique Dudouet, Marie Migeon
Mediation in Iran: A Course Manual.Project Peace Education in Iran. In cooperation with Tehran Peace Museum
Dealing with conflict in a constructive way as an inseparable part of life requires different tools and each country and community has come up with different methods for that. Traditional mediation has been used as such a tool in Iran for hundreds of years. The Berghof Foundation's Peace Education and Global Learning Programme and the Tehran Peace Museum (TPM) have developed a qualification course on mediation. The manual is available for free download here in English and Farsi and contains an overview of the mediation approach adapted to the Iranian context. The manual includes an overview of different personal conflict styles, gives an insight into conflict escalation and de-escalation, and the purpose of conflict analysis. It introduces the mediation approach, its principles and characteristics, and shows how mediation can be used in different phases of conflict. It also focuses on and the characteristics, competencies, skills and roles of a mediator. And it connects the mediation approach with experiences from Iran, especially in the field of insider and faith-based mediators.
- Year2019
- Author(s)Cora Bieß, Uli Jäger, Isabella M. Bauer, Yalda Khosravi, Neda Pouryekta, Eva Sodeik-Zecha
Conflict Assessment, Galmudug StateAn Analysis of Local Perspectives
This study investigated the nature and dynamics of conflicts in Galmudug State. The assessment examined the various conflicts that exist in the state and the key actors that play a central role in these conflicts. The assessment also examined the conflict resolution mechanisms that are used to resolve local conflicts in Galmudug State, and the actors that play an important role in conflict resolution and reconciliation processes. Furthermore, we examined opinions and attitudes on topics such as federal-ism, the 4.5 system and overall political participation in Galmudug State. Lastly, the study investigated the various challenges to conflict resolution and reconciliation processes as well as the urgent needs of the citizens of Galmudug State with regard to peace and conflict.
- Year2019
- Author(s)Janel B. Galvanek, Pascal Grimm